'Ahn Se-young Song Byeol-sik'Jang Jae-geun, President of the Athletes' Village'Please tell us exactly what you need to improve through a press conference'

Aug 07, 2024

Ahn Se-young answering questions from reporters on his way back to Korea

'Badminton Empress' Ahn Se-young will return home through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th.

A brief farewell event was held at the Paris Olympic Village in Saint-Denis, Paris on the 6th (Korea time) ahead of Ahn Se-young and the badminton team's return home. The South Korean team holds a farewell ceremony every morning at the Paris Olympics at 9 a.m. to encourage the hard work of athletes in each event returning home from the tournament schedule and celebrate their performance. A small amount of money (800,000 won) is also paid to both medal-winning and non-winning athletes.

At the meeting, Jang Jae-geun, head of the Jincheon National Training Center (general manager of the Paris Olympics), delivered a message of encouragement to the badminton team who did their best at the Paris Olympics and Ahn Se-young, who won the women's singles gold medal in 28 years. "Ahn Se-young, you did a great job, and thank you so much."

He also mentioned Ahn's bombshell declaration, which became a social issue after the gold medal as the head of the athletes' village. "I would like you to have an official press conference after returning to Korea and tell me exactly what you were upset about, what you were uncomfortable about, and what you wanted me to solve." Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Chief Jang was frequently briefed on Ahn's condition to bring a gold medal and brought it himself. Before returning home, Ahn announced her absence from the press conference held at the Korea House in Paris. Immediately after the revelation, the massive spotlight exploded, and Ahn Se-young was absent from the medal press conference prepared by the Korea Sports Association ahead of her return.

Chief Jang said, `I wish I could go back to Korea and say what I have to say through a press conference. It would have been nice to have a press conference today. You can think of it as being blocked by a sports day outside. No one can touch a gold medalist like Ahn Se-young. I hope you can say exactly what you want to say through the official press conference"I recommended.

Chief Jang then said "Many people enthusiastically supported and struggled for Ahn Se-young. I'm sorry if I didn't satisfy you. But I want you to know that we did the best we could," he said. "It would be nice if you could tell me whether the story of player protection is the opinion of the entire badminton team or the individual." If the badminton players have the same opinion, they can speak out the same in the interview. We can use it to create a more advanced environment."

After the farewell event, Ahn will depart by Korean Air at 9 p.m. and arrive at Incheon International Airport around 3:36 p.m. on the 7th. When asked why she did not attend the press conference of the Korean Sports Association, Ahn Se-young, who met reporters including Yonhap News at the departure hall of Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport, said, `I didn't go to the press conference… I don't think I'm in a situation where I can do anything because I just told them to wait." When asked 'The sports committee said he didn't come out as an athlete doctor, wasn't he?' Ahn Se-young said "They tell me to wait and not say anything, but I don't know anything right now." It did not mention whether the Korea Sports Council or the Badminton Association was the one who told them to wait.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will figure out the details of Ahn Se-young's media interview on the 5th through a press release on the 6th. As the 2024 Paris Olympics are currently underway, the exact facts will be identified as soon as the Olympics are over, and the need for appropriate improvement measures will be reviewed according to the results." President Yoon Suk Yeol is also showing particular interest in the issue. The president's office reportedly contacted the Paris Olympics site to find out the authenticity directly.

sky4us@sportschosun.com